NAJAD is Back

[barnakiel]

I have just seen a brand new Najad. They say built in Swede Boatyard.

I'd rather buy a Swede, but I am happy to know Najad is back.

Cheers,
b.

[barnakiel]

This could imply this boatyard:

Classic Swedish Yachts – The thrill is on –

less likely, this one:

Sweden Yachts - Home

Perhaps a Swedish member could chime in and clarify the story?

Cheers,
b.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

This could imply this boatyard:

Classic Swedish Yachts – The thrill is on –

less likely, this one:

Sweden Yachts - Home

Perhaps a Swedish member could chime in and clarify the story?

Cheers,
b.

I am not Swede but more than an year ago posted about that on my blog. Forum rules does not allow me to post a direct link but you only need to search for Najad on the blog search engine:

"As you all probably now the agony of Najad has been going on for some years now: They went bankrupt, were saved by a neighbor motorboat shipyard but that did not work out and the Swedish famous brand went bankrupt again. Then it was bought, quite unexpectedly by Swedestar, a small Swedish shipyard that makes beautiful fast boats in a classic way: Narrow, big B/D ratio, powerful and very fast upwind even if not as fast downwind.

In my opinion the problem that killed Najad was the big increase in size of the operation: They grew a lot from a small shipyard to a medium sized one and a mid sized one doing the kind of boats Najad produces takes a lot of risks. If they had maintained the shipyard with the size it had for many years I am quite sure they would have no problem in surviving.

Swedestar it seems to have understood that, had downsized the operation, moved back to the old small shipyard on the Orust Island and it will go back to produce exclusive sail boats to order. Meanwhile it seems that the SwedeStar will change their name and will be produced as Najad. Najad will have two lines: Luxury cruisers, heavy and not very fast and performance cruisers, the ones that today are the SwedeStar."

http://najad.se/najad-strengthen-their-model-program/

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Polux

I am not Swede but more than an year ago posted about that on my blog. Forum rules does not allow me to post a direct link but you only need to search for Najad on the blog search engine:

"As you all probably now the agony of Najad has been going on for some years now: They went bankrupt, were saved by a neighbor motorboat shipyard but that did not work out and the Swedish famous brand went bankrupt again. Then it was bought, quite unexpectedly by Swedestar, a small Swedish shipyard that makes beautiful fast boats in a classic way: Narrow, big B/D ratio, powerful and very fast upwind even if not as fast downwind.

In my opinion the problem that killed Najad was the big increase in size of the operation: They grew a lot from a small shipyard to a medium sized one and a mid sized one doing the kind of boats Najad produces takes a lot of risks. If they had maintained the shipyard with the size it had for many years I am quite sure they would have no problem in surviving.

Swedestar it seems to have understood that, had downsized the operation, moved back to the old small shipyard on the Orust Island and it will go back to produce exclusive sail boats to order. Meanwhile it seems that the SwedeStar will change their name and will be produced as Najad. Najad will have two lines: Luxury cruisers, heavy and not very fast and performance cruisers, the ones that today are the SwedeStar."

Najad strengthen their model program | Najad

Argh. SwedeStar! OK. I heard Swede ... and was not sure who took over the molds.

Happy to report the new boat looks every inch as well put together as the best of the class.

Outwardly nothing changed, one look tells you she is a Najad and not anything else.

b.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Argh. SwedeStar! OK. I heard Swede ... and was not sure who took over the molds.

Happy to report the new boat looks every inch as well put together as the best of the class.

Outwardly nothing changed, one look tells you she is a Najad and not anything else.

b.

I don't know if you have understood, but in doubt let me say that that Najad is only a Najad in name, in fact it is the "old" Swedestar 415 that now is called Najad 415. a very interesting performance cruiser that I would prefer to any Najad. Not that I don't like Najad, but Swedestar makes more my personal taste in what regards sailing.

They have the molds from the "old" Najad and still make them to order. The production went back to the old place, the Island of Orust that is a kind of mythic place in what regards the history of Swedish boat building, Najad, Halberg-Rassy, CR yachts are all built there. Boats have been built there on the last 1000 years.

[Polux]

And by the way, the "Najad" 415 is doing well on the ARC